Women in Iraq’s Anbar form group to fight ISIS

“Women of Justice,” an all-female group aimed at fighting a jihadist group in Iraq, was recently formed in the Sunni-stronghold province of Anbar, Al Arabiya News Channel reported Saturday.

The 50-member group was formed following a popular tribal drive in Anbar to eject the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) jihadists from areas they have occupied in the western province.

Khansa Ahmed, head of a women center in Anbar, told the news website PUK Online on Wednesday that “the 50-women military force is to support tribal forces fighting ISIS.”

She added: “The women are currently being trained to carry weapons, and more recruits are expected,” thanking the Anbar tribal council for allowing the formation of the group.

The group represents the first type of women militarization in Anbar.

The women are expected to be deployed to give backup to security and tribal forces during their operation against ISIS.

Earlier this month ISIS killed scores of male members of a prominent Sunni tribe called Albu Nimr in Anbar, offering a chilling glimpse of what could await both Shiites and many Sunnis if the capital were to fall.

Albu Nimr said 497 of its members, including 20 women and 16 children, were executed by ISIS, to spread fear among other tribes not to resist the jihadist group, which is currently occupying about one third of Iraq.

Meanwhile, there was mixed reactions to the group with some expressing support while others shunned the move as they feared the militarization of civilians outside the government’s control.